Appleton Campbell began in 1976 with one truck run by Jim Appleton. He had retired from a plumbing and heating company with just a tool bag in hand. His son worked full time for the telephone company while helping him with the bookkeeping. His grandson, Mike Appleton, current president of the company, worked as his helper in the field. Mike had a vision and a goal to grow the company in order to provide a retirement check for his grandfather, and for the last seven years of his grandfather’s life he was able to do so. Scott Wayland, current vice president, joined the company in 1993 and became part owner in 1997. His experience, people skills with customers and employees, as well as his roots in the community have proven to be a real asset to the organization. 

 

The company now employs over 30 people and has over 20 trucks. The growth of our service department in this economy is due largely to our customer service and community involvement. Both men also realize that happy employees equal happy customers. The teamwork and family atmosphere is unique and our customers are thought of as family as well. Some customers have even given us keys to their homes. The honesty and trustworthiness of the Appleton Campbell family is one to be admired and respected. 

 

Our employees are provided with good wages, trucks, tools, insurance, gas, cell phones, uniforms, training, holidays, personal leave, vacation time, medical benefits, retirement plan, etc. to insure employee and customer satisfaction. During this industry's slower months, our employees are not sent home without pay, rather that time is used for training and inventory. Customers seem surprised that our technicians are paid the same hourly rate for driving to and from, as well as while working in customers' homes. Our service technicians are not paid by how much they can sell, but instead are trained to listen and determine customers' needs. That way our technicians can educate them on the services we provide to make their lives more comfortable. Our staff understands that most people call only when they have a problem, and the work is not something they have budgeted for in advance. When you call us, our customer service specialists are trained to let customers vent, listen to their problems, and create a solution. 

 

Mike Appleton continues to work to improve the public image of the plumbing, heating and air industry, not by just washing our trucks or having a belt be a part of our uniform. He has traveled across the country to visit other companies and often talks with other business owners in the industry. This industry has many good companies but unfortunately the few bad ones, as well as the unlicensed unprofessionals, really hurt the public perception and the industry as a whole. 

 

Appleton Campbell is proud to be members of four local Chambers of Commerce:  Fauquier, Warrenton, Culpeper and Prince William. We are also members of PHCC (Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association) and QSC (Quality Service Contractors). We were voted Best of Warrenton in The Warrenton Lifestyle magazine in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Appleton Campbell also received the 2008 Large Business of the Year awarded by the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce. Our strong community commitment has included but is not limited to Fauquier County Fair, Warrenton Spring Festival, CulpeperFest, Evening Under the Stars, Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, Partnership for the Town of Warrenton, Boys and Girls Club, and various youth sports leagues. Appleton Campbell strongly believes in supporting the community that has supported us over the years.